Ignition apparatus for gas-engines.



E. D. CHAPLIN.

IGNITION APPARATUS FOR GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-27.1916.

Patented Dec. 11, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET1 E. D. CHAPLIN.

IGNITION APPARATUS FOR GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-27,1916.

Patented Dec. 11,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E. D. CHAPLIN.

IGNITION APPARATUS FOR GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN- II 1915- Patented Dec. 11, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3 EDWIN" 1D. GHAIIPLJLN', 0 F NE W0,

' ren'rrron 1- a tA'IUS FUN. Gl-AS-ENWES.

nan

Specification of matters Patent.

application filed January at, ma. serial no. water.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EDWIN D. Qnnrmn, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lgnltlon Apparatus for Gas-Engines, of whlch the following is a specificatlon.

This invention relates to 1 l'tlml apparatus for as engines, and has or a prlnclpal object to 'urnish space-proportionrng means whereby the space within the 1gn1t1on chamber of such engines may be regulated or adjusted with relation to the gas-1gmt1ng device. O

A further object is to furnlsh an 1gn1t1on apparatus or device of that class which shall have means for edecting such a regulatlon of two portions of the said chamber space in.

such a manner as to modify the form, or

relative longitudinal and transverse dimensions, of one, of said portions by reducing the capacity, or volume thereof wh1le mcreasing the capacity or volume of the other said portion of the chamber space; also', as regards that portion of a chamber-space which is intermediate to the cylinder of an engine and the igniting device,to modlfy the transverse dimensions or area of such portion without a proportionate change in the length thereof. I

A further obj set is to provlde a ollplacer device so located and arranged that bychanging the position thereof a storage-space for the spent and heated gasmay be moreased 1n capacity concurrently with a decrease of the transverse area, cross-section or cap ac1ty of a chamber-space forming a conduit between such storage-space and the cyllnder of the engine, so that an increase in the capaclty of said storage-space may be accompanied by a variation in the velocit or rate of the flowage of the gases throu'g sald condu1tspace to and from said storage-space.

45 In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of an ignition device made in accordance with certain features of my present improvements, and the devlce 1s 50 here shown with the upper portion of the casing broken away for more fully indicating the arrangement of certain interior detalls.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation drawn in 'alinett ment with Fig. 1, and the casing 1s shown broken away approximately on the line 22 Fig. '1, but without the displacer member being shown in section.

Flg 3 is a view,-as seen from the left hand in F1 2,of the upper portion of the device in t e form thereof shown in Figs.

ghe ign1t1on device and the chamber there- Fig 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5 and is arranged for illustrating certain operatlonal features as hereinafter more fully explained.

Fig. 7 is-a view similar to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, but is arranged for illustratlng certain modifications and supplemental features.

Flg. 7 is a plan view of the mechanism when arranged as in Fig. 7 the upper portion of the casing being broken away for more clearly showing some-of the details.

Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation for illustrating a modification of certain of the details. 1

Fig. 9 is a side elevation arranged in a manner analogous to the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 8, but with a modified form of casing and a modified arrangement of the operable members of the ignition device;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the ignition device in the form thereof illustrated in Fig. 9, the upper portion of the casing being broken away in a manner similar to the illustrations in Figs. 1 and 7.:

Figs. 11 and 12 are views similar to Fig. 9, but showing the o crating parts in different positions for tli ereby illustrating the purposes and mode of action thereof.

Similar characters designate like parts in all of the views. I

In the drawings, for convenience of illustration, the several figures illustrating the difi'erent forms and specific arrangements 105 tion apparatus, areshown on a p of the ig'n relatively large scale, while the fragmentary portion of the engine cylinder, D, is indicated on a comparatively small scale, but

Fatented llltec. til, JtFt't.

a View similar to Figs. 2 and 4:

in any particular instance, in view of the size and proportions of the engine to which the apparatus is to be applied, and the speed of such an engine, and the character or richness of the gas mixtures which are, employed therein. As usual in the gas-engine art, all such requirements are readily ascertainable by trial, and,.besides,- are to a considerable extent, matters of judgment or preference.

The casin or hollow framework, of the device is designated in a general way by C, and it may have any suita le form and proportions. In each of the Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the casing C i shown of a similar form and construction, and has an interior chamber space between flat side-walls, as 5", 5", (Figs. 1, 3) and one side wall, 5",is indicated as being removable; in practice, wall 5* may be secured in place by suitable screws or rivets (not shown), but the particular manner of constructing the casing is not in itself important. The casing C may be removably secured to the cylinder Dby means of a threaded stem, as S, and, preferably, may have a base-flange, or face, as f; in some instances, however, as indicated in Figs. 7 7", the flange may be enlarged, as at f, and held in place by screws, 8, so that the part 8 may be omitted.

The casin C is shown as havin an interior chamber space within whic is inclosed an I operably-supported displacer member designated by B, in Figs. 1 to 6;

' by B in Figs. 7, 7; by B in Fig. 8; by

B", in Figs. 10 to 12. In each form, however, the displacer has, in some respects, the same functions and utility, and a similar mode of o eration. Said chamber space is arranged or one part thereof, as 6*, to serve as a conduit space, while another part, 6", serve as a storage space. The lower part of the conduit 6, as at 6, may be regarded as a port which leads into the interior of the cylinder D.

In the form and arrangement of ignition apparatus particularly illustrated in Fi s. 1 to 6, the working movements of the displacer member B take lace in a diagonal direction, or at an inclme relatively to the direction of the conduit-space 6, and also operates as a port-adjuster. In said Figs. 2 to 6 the displacer B,'this being preferably of substantially a triangular formis shown arranged for havlng working movements inthe direction of the inclined side thereof so that on moving the displacer downwardly for narrowing the conduitspace 6, (Fig. 4) the displacer also, operates as a port-adjuster. Thus the displacer when arranged for operating in substantially such a manner as illustrated in Fig. 4, constitutes a combined space-proportioner and port-adjuster. In this manner, the operation of the said displacer-member B-results in simultaneously modifying or proportioning the two s aces 6 and 6 which together form the in aming-chamber, and concurrently with the described space regulation also regulates the size of the ort-opening, 6, through which the incan escing-chamber, g, communicates with the infiamingchamber.

In practice, the movement of the displacer B may be extended to a greater or lesser degree as may be required in an particular instance, and it is one of the ob ects of my improvement to provide for such an operation of the lisplacer as will in some cases serveto nearly or fully close, as the case may be, the port-opening 6 when the displacer is in the lower position thereof as.

indicated in Fig. 4. In this position, the displacer is shown nearly covering said port, so that for the time being the incandescing-chamber 9 will be substantially cut off from communication with the inflammg-chamber 6. When the displacer B is in said lower position and the incandescmg-chamber is cut off as described, it is evident that the compression-stroke of the piston by forcing the gases (usually a mixture of fresh and inert ases) through the relatively narrow con uit-space 6 will drive the gases reviously contained in the inflaming-cham er upward into the storage-space 6". During the further compression of a fresh charge in the cylinder of the engine, fresher gases will be supplied to and driven up through, under an increasing compression the said conduit-space 6 and thus be conducted to and beyond the ort 6, If new during the later stages of t e compression stroke, the displacer be rapidly drawn upwardly and thereby materially enlarge the conduit-space 6, (Fig. 2) a largel increased volume of the fresher gases wi 1 be driven up through this conduit-space while .the increasing compression will naturally ment of the displacer and the consequent reducing capacity of said storage-space. Said upward movement of the displacer whereby the conduit-space is largely increased in capacity, (as for instance, from size Fig 4 to size Fig 2), operates as will now be evident,'to uncover the port 6 and thus at one and the same time provide for the sudden upflow of a larger volume of the fresher and more highly compressed gas substantially at the moment of reestablishing or enlargin the communication between the incan escing-chamber g and the inflaming-chamber of the apparatus.

For operating the displacer B, in the manner above indicated, any suitable displacer actuating device, as for instance, the leverdevice herein illustrated, may be connected with a suitable crank-pin or other actuator naeaaar on the engine. This means for mechanically and regularly actuating the displacer is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 6, where 8 indicates a shaft which in practice should have a rotation in s nchronism with the cycle of movements of the engine. The circle 8 indicates the path of a crank-pin 8", and 8 indicates some suitable connecting rod or transmitter from said crank-pin to the leverarm 8 of the displacer actuating device. Thus, the space-pro described is adapte 'forsynchronous oper-. ation with the plston of the engine to which the ignition apparatus may be applied and is also adapted for operating as a combined space-proportioner and port-adjuster. The method of mechanically operating the displacer as here particularly described in connection with Fig. 6, may be applied, of course, to any of the forms or arrangements of the displacers illustrated in the other figures of the drawings. Instead of using the crank-form of displacer-actuating device, the displacer may be operated by some suitable cam, (not shown) provided with suitable connecting means, and located in a convenient position with relation to the ignition-apparatus.

Forconvenience of illustration and also for indicating a preferred construction, the coil-form igniter N is shown in the detail views (see Fig. 1), arranged with the two leading wires e, 6' thereof embedded in a plug or carrier member P which may be formed in one piece of some suitable nonconducting material, such for instance as a suitable glass or asbestos composition, or of other appropriate dielectric substance. Said leading wires of the coil N are shown in Fig. 8, as having within the plug P, a slightly 'undulated form whereby they will be prevented from having any movement in the plug P should the wires for any reason be loosely embedded in the substance of .the plug. From the outer ends of said wires 6, e, the usual electric conductors, "(not shown) will be connected with a suitable supply of electricity for the purpose of heating the coil N to the proper degree of incandescence. In practice suitable switches ,or the like (not shown) will, of course, be

employed for turning on and turning ofl' the electric current. The said leading wires e, e, may be non-incandescing, and may 55 then be joined by welding or in other suitable ways, to the opposite ends, respectively of the coil N, which will be so made as to be heated to incandescence by a suitable electric current, in a well-known manner. The several coils or turns of the member N, constitute a kind of cage within which an increment'of the gas-mixture will normally and for a moment he detained,or reduced to a slow movement or circulation,-so that this detained increment of the gas will be successive other ortioning means herein \gperable displacer B, has the the capacity forth. T

more edectively heated than would otherwise be the case, and hence will be more uniformly heated in a given, time-interval, and. thus gas increments, or changes, he brought to the point of mflaming in successive time-intervals of a more uniform duration. In practice, the coil N, or some as-heatmg device or element in lieu thereo may be made of such size and heat ing power as-shall be required in'any given instance.

In Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the reversiblyform of a slidmg member WhlCh is imposition and arranged for reciprocatory movements in directions for increasing and decreasing the cross-sectional'area of the conduit-space, as 6, v and thereby change the dimension or capacity of the conduit-space relatively to of the storage-space, as 6 In each of the described arrangements or forms of the apparatus, the displacer member, whether this is of a slidable construction or is otherwise formed,-is in position and arranged for working movements whereby to eflect the purposes and objects as above set herequired working movements of the said displacer may be effected by means of a shaft, as 9, which isprovided with a crank pin, 9, and is so supported and ar-' ranged as to constitute a displacer-actuator. In said. Figs. 1, 6 this displacer-actuating device consists ofthe described crank-shaft supported in somesuitable bearing, and having the pin 9 thereof in operative connection .with the displacer, which in the'form shown in said'Figs. 10, 12 is a rotatable member, B having a central hole or hearing in which the crank pin engages. In Figs. -1 to 7, said crank pin is shown engaging in a slot 9 of the sliding displacer, whereby the said crank shaft, becomes a slide-actuating device that is in operative connection with the sliding-displacer, and is arranged for advancing and retracting the displacer for thereby efl'ecting the described regulation of the capacity of said storage-space and of the conduit-space, each relatively to the other. A convenient and preferable mode of arranging the igniter-chamber g is well shown in said Figs. 1 and 3, in which said space is located to one side of the conduit-chamber 6 and within an enlargement of the casing wall 5*. In these views, the displacer-member 15 is shown so arranged as to partially close in, or extend over said space 1, for thereby cooperating with other features in providing for a more complete detention of an ignition charge of freshly compressed gas within said ignition chamber at the proper moment. In this arrangement of the mechanism, the operatingor shifting of the dis placer for increasin or decreasing the crossseotional area of t e conduit-space, as 6*,

simultaneously increases or decreases the extill ' tent to which the igniter-chamber is covered in or separated from the conduit-space 6;

thus, a single movement of the displacer, re-

sults in modifying the relations of three features, viz: increasing the storage-space 6",

decreasing the conduit-space 6*, and reducing the opening 6 into the igniter-chamer g.

The igniter device, as N, being located relatively remote from the main space of the cylinder, the chamber space 6 leading from the port 6 to the igniter, constitutes a conduit-space through which the fresh charge of gas,during the compressionstroke of the engine piston,will flow to the igniter-chamber, with a velocity which, in practice, will depend on or be modified by the relative size of said conduit-space proportionately to the capacity of the storage-space. Hence, by operating the displacer and thereby changing said proportionate relations, the velocity of the stream of gas through said conduit-space may be regulated, and the quantity of gas in the storage space or chamber also be regulated. On the heating of the gas to an inflaming temperature in the igniter chamber 9, the

flame not only will then extend to and along the column of gas in the conduit-space, but

owing to rapid expansion of the gas by the inflaming thereof, the ignition-charge will naturally be rapidly forced out into the cylinder and thus more quickly inaugurate combustion in the main body of the compressed gas. Thus the time-interval between the beginning of combustion in or at the ignition space, and the entrance of flame through the port 6 into the cylinder, comprises the period of normal flame-travel as reduced by the movement of inflamed gas by flowage toward said port 6.

An immediate efiect, when the engine is running, of the above described decrease of the conduit-space 6 relatively to the capacity of the storage space 6*, is obviously to, accelerate during the compression stroke of the usual piston (as d, Fig. 9) the stream of gas through said conduit space into said storage space, and by this means it appears that the residue of spent gas in these chamber spaces at the beginning of said stroke, will be more completely driven and compressed into the storage space, and thus bring a fresher mixture of the gas to the igniter chamber 9, and thereby effect the inflaming of the ignition charge at an earlier moment in the cycle of operations. Thus the operation of the displacer serves to regulate the timing of the ignition, and also to regulate or modify the character of the gas mixture which has to be inflamed, and these two kinds of regulative action are effected concurrently by one movement of the displacer device, either to advance or retard the inflaming of the charge, accordingly as said displacer-member shall be moved in one direction or the other, and accordingly as this operation shall be timed.

From the foregoing description, it will now be seenthat one feature of my invention relates to an organization of chamber spaces in such a manner relatively to an igniting-device, and a chamber therefor, that a portion of freshly compressed gas may be subjected to a detentive control in contact with the igniter while relatively protected from the main stream during the flowage of gas toward the storage-space of the ignitionchamber. One arrangement and construction for this purpose is where the coil-form igniter is located within a small auxiliary or igniter chamber, 9, which is located at one side of but in communication with the conduit-space. This arrangement allows a stream of gas to flow rapidly through said conduit-space, while holding some gas,

the space g and in direct en agement with the incandescent igniter. A urther feature of this arrangement relates to the use in such an organization of a special form of incandescent igniter located in said space or igniter-chamber g, so that a small amount of gas will flow or circulate within such chamber in contact with'several turns of the coilform igniter, and thus be rapidly brought to the tern erature of or to the state of, combustion. en this result is effected, the flame or combustion then proceeds outward from the igniter, and passing through the conduit-space quickly reaches the cylinder space, and so accomplishes the inflaming of the main body of gas within the cylinder.

The inflaming-chamber in each of the constructions illustrated, being of an elongated form, and at or near one end thereof being in communication with the cylinder D, therefore when no gas-mixture is initially supplied to the cylinder through said chamber, it follows that on the engine piston (as d, Fig. 9) coming to the end of its compression stroke the gas in said chamber will come substantially to rest, and thus be in a highly favorable condition for the inflaming there-- of. One object of my invention, however, is to secure a high degree of efliciency of the inflaming action without requiring the ignition-charge to be brought fully to rest, and for this purpose among others, I preferably locate and arrange the lgniter or heating device, as N, in an auxiliary chamber, as

which is a comparatively separate space, a

the length of the in aming-chamber, as erein employed in defining certain features comprised in or related to my present improvements,I refer to such a location of the igniiataaav in combination with a diametrical enlarge-' ment which thus becomes an equivalent for a relatively longer storage-space or chamber of a relatively smaller diameter. In practice, it is only required that the storage-' space shall have a substantial amount of space therein so that during said compression-stroke, some of the gases which would otherwise remain adjacent or contiguous to the igniter will be pushed along by the inflow of the fresh gas then being compressed as this gas passes from the cylinder through the said conduit space, as 6 to the immediate vicinity of the igniter..

In Figs. 7 and 7*, I have illustrated a modification as regards the arrangement and specific features of the operably-supported space proportioning displacer member, here designated by B In these views, the displacer member is shown pivotally supported within the casing C by a pinat t. A slot 9" is formed in the displacer for receiving the crank-pin 9 of the lever-device mechanism, which as here shown, or may be substantially a duplicate of the one illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive; and accordingly the minor details of this displaceractuating means are here designated by the same reference characters, respectively, as

v in the preceding views showing the same details. In this modification the igniter chamber 9, is formed within a projecting part of the casing, and communicates through a port at 6 with the conduit portion 6 of the inflaming-chamber. The conduit-space 6 and the storage-space 6", (Fig. 7 are modified in proportion by a swinging movement of the displacer 18 produced (as in Fig. 2) by simply turnin the crank. It will be evident that. when t e displacer B is moved toward the left hand in Fig. 7 so as to narrow the conduit-space 6 then said storage-space will be increased in size and capaclty by relatively the same amount.- As in the other forms of the apparatus, as herein described, in connection with other figures of the drawing, the igniter-chamber is so located as to be substantially separate from the inflaming-chamber which comprises the said conduit-space and the storage-space.

In the several views, Figs. 1 to 7, the arrangement of the operably-supported discreased concurrently with an increase of placer is such that the conduit-space is dethe storage-s ace, and by the same working,

.and also the storage-space 6" at the same time. However, a single .reciprocating movement of the displacer B operates in a direction for decreasing the capacity of both of said spaces 6, 6", and does this in a difi'erent proportion. Thus a given movement of the displaceroperates a space-proportioning means. For operating the said modified arrangement of the displacer, I have shown said displacer connected by a rod 71. to the end of the lever h at the point It". The lever is shown pivotally supported at h to some part of the frame or casing C o the apparatus. In ractice, however, the said displacer may e operated by means of a lever device having the crankshaft arrangement such as already described in connection with Fig. 6, as will be readily understood without further description.

In a further modification illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, the reversibly-operable displacer member B is illustrated as being arranged within the casing C and for as f a working movement in directions which is said shaft 9, the displacer may be shifted to successive positions, of which three are shown in Figs. 9, 11 and 12, respectively; by comparing these views, the operation of the member 15 for changing the relative proportions of the said conduit and storage spaces, will be obvious. The improvements illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, and which are not also comprised in the devices of the preceding figures are not specifically claimed herein, but will constitute in part the subject-matter of a separate application to be copending herewith.

For operating the shaft 9, and for holding the same in di erent positions, there is pro vided a retractable locking device of a wellknown kind,'indicated at 8 and arranged to engage in holes, 8, in the flange, or quadran of the casing or frame of the appara- I it may be so applied within any tus. See Figs. 7, 7 and 9, 10. This or some like arrangement may be applied to the shaft 9 of any form of the apparatus, whenever it is not required to operate the displacer as described in connection with Fig. 6, but only to adjust the position of the displacer from time to time.

In the drawings the conduit-space, as ti Figs. 1-6, or 6, Figs. 7, 8,. leads in one d1- rection from the igmter, or from the port of the igmter-chamber, to an outlet, as 6, for communicating with the cyhnderpf the engine; while in an opposite dlrectlon (or in another direction) the conduit-space has a continuation thereof (of some suitable form and arrangement) which constltutes a storage-space, in the manner and for the purpose already pointed out.

By locating the ificandescmg (as 9, Figs. 1, 2), out of line wlth the said conduit channel or space, the gas within said chamber is less disturbed than it otherwise might be, during the compresslon stroke; and by locatin and arranging the inflaming-chamber-wit out any connection with the gas-supply apparatus of the engine, disturbances from that source are also avoided.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, I have indi-. cated at n a lining within the incandesclng chamber g. This lining should be of relatively high non-conducting quahty for thereby aiding in the rapld heating ofthe gas in said chamber up to a temperature whereby it may communicate flame through the port or outlet thereof to the gases in the conduit-space of the infiaming-chamber. In practice, such a may consist of an inserted layer or member, and this consist of some suitable variet of glass or relatively infusible material w ich may, if preferred, be fused or welded onto the inner surface of the casing; and in some cases this nonconducting lining may be extended over other interior portions of the casing; also, form of the casing or of the incandescing-chamber.

It should be noted in connection with the several specific arrangements of the inflaming-chamber and the igniter, and also as regards the igmter-chamber considered as an mcandescing-chamber, that normally this chamber may ordinarily be filled with relatively inert as so that the charge of gas in sald incan escing-chamber may be heated to the point of incandescence without establishing combustion therein. This is especially tobe noted in connection with such a construction of the apparatus as substantially separates the .incandescing-chamber from the infiaming-chamber and particle larly when in this latter arrangement, the communication is through a port having means whereby the same may be nearly 'or entirely closed. In the latter case, the

chamber,

said two chambers,or on bringin the fresh gas in suflicient volume throug the conduit-space to the igniter,the incandescing, but non-burning gas b mingling with the fresh gas causes com ustion to take place therein, and by the aid of the flowage and the expansion already described this combustion is rapidly communicated to the main charge in the cylinder. Thus by the use,and the arrangements set forth,- of the incandescing igmter in connection with a space-proportioning means, the combustion may be established and communicated without requiringv combustible gas to be in actual contact with the igniter.

By arranging the operating devices suitably therefor, as elsewhere herein explained as regards an operating mechanism such as indicated in'Fig. 6, the displacer member (whatever the specific form thereof) may be so arranged and operated that on the completion of the compression stroke of the engine, the displacer may be actuated in a direction for expelling heated gas from the storage portion of the chamber; and, when the chamber and conduit spaces as 6 and 6 are suitably proportioned therefor, the heated contents of the storage space may be forcibly expelled in the form of a jet into the cyllnder of the engine, so that the heated gases thus injected into the cylinder space will operate by their own heat, as an ignition means, and this without requiring such injected gases to be in a burning or a flaming condition. The arrangements may be so proportioned and the displacer member so timed in its operation as to effect the said expulsion of heated ignition-gas concurrently with the enlargement of the conduitspace contiguous to the cylinder space, and thereby permit live-gas from the cylinder to flow up into the conduit-space concurrently with the said expulsion of ignition-gas from the chamber-space, and by this means, it will now be evident, the ignitible gases from the cylinder may flow into the conduit-space concurrently with the ejection of heated gas from the storage-space and thus cause the initial firing or ignltion of the said live gas to take place at a point in the conduit-space rather than within the cylinder space itself. And under some conditions, or when the actuated devices are suitably arranged therefor, the firing of the charge may be thus accomplished by the heat of the confined gases without the livegas coming into actual contact with the heating elementof' the ignition apparatus, since the confined gas may be so high] heated as to cause the infiaming of the cy Ill intone-r inder char e by the heat of said ignitiongas after t is is in a fully burned or inert condition and therefore not itself inflammable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, in combination, a casing, an igniter within the casing, an inflaming-chamber consisting of a conduit-space leading in one direction from the igniter to an outlet for communicating with the cylinder of the engine, and having in an opposite direction a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, and

' means in a position intermediate to said igniter and outlet and arranged for increasing and decreasing one said space relatively to the other said space of the inflamingchamber.

3. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, in combination, a casing, an igniter Within the casing, aninflaming-chamber consisting of a conduit-space leading from the igniter to an outlet for communicating with the cylinder of the engine, and having a continuation thereof constituting a storagespace, and space-proportioning means in position and arranged for increasing the capacity of one said space and simultaneously decreasing the capacity of the other said space of the inflaming-chamber.

, 4:. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, in combination, a casing, an igniter-chamber Within the casing and an incandescing igniter Within the igniter-chamber, an inflam1ng chamber in communication with the igniterchamber and consisting of a conduit-space leading from the igniter to an outlet for communicating with the cylinder of the engine, and having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, and space-proportioning means in position and arranged for increasing the capacity of one said space and simultaneously decreasing the capacity of the other said space of the infiarning-chamber.

5. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, in combination, a casing, an igniter-chamber within the casing and an igniter within the igniter-chamber, aninflaming-chamber in \lil: unication with the igniter-chamber and consisting of a conduit-space leading from the igniter to an outlet for communicating with the cylinder of the engine, and having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, and space-proportioning means in position and arranged for increasing the capacity of one said space and simultaneously decreasing the proportionate capacit of the other said space of the inflammg-c amber.

6. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, V

in combination, a within the casing and an igniter Within the igniter-chamber, an infiaming-chamber in communication with the igniter-chamber and consisting of a conduit-space leading from the igniter to an outlet for communieating with the cylinder of the engine, and having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, and space-proportioning means comprising a sliding displacer in po-- .sitlon and arranged for increasing the capaclty of the conduit-space and slmultane ously decreasing the proportionate capacity of said storage-space.

7. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space,

of an incandescing chamber adjacent to the junction of the conduit-space and the storage-space and in communication with the inflaming-chamber, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, space-proportioning means comprising an operably-supported displacer, and displacer-actuating means in position and operatively connected for operating the displacer.

8. In ignition apparatus for gasengines, the combination with an inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space,-

of an incandescing chamber adjacent to the junction of the conduit-space and the storage-space and in communication with the inflaming-chamber, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, space-proportioning means comprising a sliding displacer, and displacer-actuating means in position and operatively connected for sliding the displacer.

9. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an inclosed igniter located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduit-space and a storage-space, and a reversibly-operable displacer-member in position and arranged for Working movements in direction for increasing and decreasing the cross-sectional area of said conduit-space and thereby change the capacity of the conduit-space relatively to the capacity of the storage-space.

casing, an ignlter-chamber Itlt Ilt

her in position and arranged for working 1 10. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with anelongated inflaming chamber, of an inclosed ignitcr located versibly-operable displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for increasing and decreasing said storage-space and thereby change the capacity of the storage-space relatively to names? ing-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduit space and a storage-space, a reversibly-operable displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for simultaneously increasing one said the cross-sectional area' of the conduit-space.\ space and decreasing the other said space,

11. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an igniterlocated approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the -space within this chamber into a conduitspace and astorage-space, a displacer memmovements in directions for simultaneously increasing one said space and decreasing the other said space, and thereby regulate the cross-sectional area and capacity of the conduit-space and the capacity of the storagespace, each relatively to the other.

12. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an inclosed ignitcr located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportion- 7 ing the space within this chamber into a conduit-space and a storage-space, a reversibly-operable displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in di rections for increasing and decreasing the cross-sectional area of said conduit-space and thereby change and regulate the capacity of the conduit-space relatively to the capacity of the storage-space, and a displaceractuating device in operative connection with the displacer, and arranged for advancing and retracting the displacer and for thereby efi'ecting the said regulation of the capacity of said storage-space relatively to the conduit-space.

13. 'In ignition apparatus for gas engines,

the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an ignitcr located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduitspace and a storage-space, a reversibly-operable displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for increasingand decreasing said storagespaceand thereby change and regulate the capacity of the storage-space relatively to the cross-sectional area of the conduit-space, and a displacer-actuating device in operative connection with the displacer, and arranged for advancing and retracting the displacer and for thereby efi'ecting the said and thereby change and regulate the crosssectional area and capacity of the conduitspace relatively to the capacity of the storage-space, vand a displacer-actuating device in operative connection with the displacer, and arranged for advancing and retracting the displacer and for thereby effecting the said regulation of the capacity of said storage-space and the conduit-space, each relatively to the other.

. 15. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an ignitcr located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduitspace and a storage-space, and a reversiblyoperable sliding displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for increasing and decreasing the cross-sectional area of said conduit-space and thereby change the capacity of the conthe combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an ignitcr located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the spacewithin this chamber into a conduitspace and a storage-space, and a sliding displacer-member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for simultaneously increasing one and decreasing the other of said spaces, and thereby change and regulate both the cross-sectional area of the conduit-space and the capacity of the storage-space, each relatively to the other.

d ll)- bil naaaear l8. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an igniter located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduitspace and a stora e-space, a reversibly-operable sliding disp acer consisting of a sliding member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for increasing and decreasing the cross-sectional area oil said conduit-space and thereby change and regulate the capacity of the conduitspace relatively to the capacity of the storage-space, and a displacer-actuator consisting of a slide-actuatin device in operative connection with the sliding displacer, and arranged for advancin and retracting the displacer and for there y eflecting the said regulation of the capacity of said storagespace relatively to the conduit-space.

1'9. llnignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an igniter located approximately midway of'the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduitspace and a storage-space, a reversibly-operable sliding displacer consisting of a slid-' ing member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for in creasing and decreasing said storage-space and thereby change and regulate the capacity of the storage-space relatively to the cross-sectional area of the conduit-space, and a displacer-actuator consisting of a slideactuating device in operative connection with the sliding displacer, and arranged for advancin and retracting the displacer and for there y eflecting the said regulation of said conduit-space relatively to the capacity of the storage-space.

20. In ignition apparatus for gas" engines,

the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an igniter located approximately midway of the length of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the space within this chamber into a conduitspace and a storage-space, a reversibly-operable sliding displacer consisting of a sliding member in position and arranged for working movements in directions for simultaneously increasing one said space and decreasing the other said space, and thereby change and regulate the cross-sectional area and capacity of the conduit-space relatively to the capacity of the storage-space, and a displacer-actuator consisting of a slide-ac tuating device in operative connection with the sliding displacer, and arranged for advancing and retracting the displacer and for thereby edecting the said regulation of the capacity of said storage-space and the condint-space, each relatively o the other.

' other.

tion of the conduit-space and the storagespace and in communication with the inflamlng-chamber, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and space pro-port1on1ng means in a position intermediate to said igniter and outlet and arranged for increasing and decreasing the said storagespace of the inflaming-chamber, and thereby regulate the capacity of the storage-space relatively to the conduit-space.

22. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflamlng-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, of an auxiliary incandescing chamber located contiguous to the junction of the conduit-space and the storage-space and 1n communication with the inflaming chamher, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and space-proportioning means in position and arranged for simultaneously increasing one said space and decreasmg the other said space of the inflammg chamber, and thereby regulate the capacity of the conduit-space and the capacity of the storage-space, each relatively to the 23. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, of a separate incandescm chamber having a port communicating witl the inflaming-chamber at a point near the junction of the conduit-space and storagespace thereof, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and space-proportion- 1ng means in position and arranged for increasing and decreasin one said space relatively to the other said space of the inflaming chamber.

24:. In ignition apparatus for gas engines,

the combination with an inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storagespace, of a separate incandescin chamber having a port communicating with the inflaming-chamber at a point near the junction of the conduit-space and storage-space thereof, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and space-proportioning means in position and arranged for increasing and decreasing one said space relatively to the other said space of the inflaming chamber and also arranged for concurrently changing the extent of the opening of said port into the inflaming-chamber.

25. ][n ignition apparatus for gas engines,

lllh

llt'll ltd ' said incandescing chamber, and storage-space and conduit-space proportioning means comprising an operably-supported displacer, and also comprising a displacer-actuator consisting of a lever-device comprising a crank-.

pin, said shaft being provided with operatmg means located in position outside of the casing of the ignition apparatus, whereby the displacer may be operated during the I operation of the engine.

26. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storage-space, of an incandescing chamber adjacent to the junction of the conduit-space and the storage-space and in communication with the inflaming-chamber, an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and storage-space and conduit-space. proportioning means comprising a slidably-supported displacer, and also comprising a displacer-sliding means consisting of'a lever-device comprising a crank-shaft having a displacer-engaging crank-pin, said shaft being provlded with operating. means located in position outside of the casing of the ignition apparatus, whereby ,the displacer may be operated by a sliding movement during the operation of the engine.

27. In ignition ap aratus for gas engines, the combination with an infiaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storagespace, of an incandescing chamber adjacent to the junction of the conduit-space and the storage-space and in communicationthrough a' port-opening with the infiaming-chamber,

an igniter located within said incandescing chamber, and storage-space and conduit- Space proportioning means comprising an operab y-supported displacer having a sliding movement, and also comprising a displacer-actuating lever-device provided with operating means located-in position outside of the casing of the ignition apparatus, for sliding the displacer during the operation of the en ine.

28. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an inflaming-chamber comprising a conduit-space having a continuation thereof constituting a storagespace, of an igniter in a position adjacent to and in communication with the inflamingchamber, space-proportioning means comprising an operably-supported displacer aractuator and thereby hold t e displacer in shaft having a displacer-engaging crankany one of several successive positions.

29. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an infiaming-chamber compr sing a conduit-space having a contlnuation thereof constituting a storagespace, of an lgniter in a position adjacent to andm communication with the inflammg-chamber, spaceproportionin means comprising a slidably-supported displacer arranged for varying the relative proportions of the conduit-space and storage-space,

a displacer-actuator comprising a dlsplacermunication with the cylinder through a port of an incandescent igniter located in a midway portion of the length of the chamber and thereby apportionin the chamber space into a conduit space an a storage space, a movable displacer-member operablysupported within the casing and constituting a combined space-proport1oner and chamberport-adjuster, and an actuator device in position and arranged for operating the displacer-member.

31. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with an elongated inflaming-chamber, of an igniter located approximately midway of the length of the inflam- 1ng-chamber and thereby apportioning the chamber space into a conduit-space and a storage-space, said conduit-space being intermediate to the igniter and the cyllnder of a gas englne, and a reciprocatable dispacity of the storage-space, and means for reciprocating said displacer-member.

32. In ignition apparatus for gas engines, the combination with acombined conduit and inflaming-chamber, of an igniter located in a space at a midway portion of the inflaming-chamber and thereby apportioning the chamber space into a conduit-space and a storage-space, said conduit-space being intermediate to the igniter and the cylinder of the gas engine, and an operably-supported displacer-member in position and arranged for working strokes in directions for alternately increasing and decreasing the capacity of said conduit-space and thereby regulate the capacity of the conduit-space relatively to the capacity of the storagespace, and means for operating the displacermember.

EDWIN D. CHAPLIN. Witnesses FRED. J. DOLE, H. D. PENNEY.

lib 

